Avalon Golf Club - hole on the west 9. 

;-) 

114,000

Here.

Video

Some more video to be found at waxy.org.

Tsunami Video

Here.

As I sit in my warm office at the church I cannot even comprehend the amount of suffering and desperation that is going on in Asia. Incomprehensible. Another estimate for you.

Tsunami Update...

Unbelievable.

Tsunami Facts

Here.

Christian Satire... funny stuff

This is probably a re-post, but here is the latest from "The Holy Observer".

Merry Christmas

Wrapping paper was flying everywhere, Madeline was trying to open everyone's presents, and we had a nice breakafst in the morning (10:30am before getting into the gifts). Merry Christmas and thanks for stopping by our "blog" from time to time. We're glad to have frequent visitors.

They're Here

The Smith clan is officially gathered at our place. We have the biggest house on the west coast so it's a perfect spot. Mom, Dad, Brady, Kim and Mark (Kim's fiance) are here with the three of us (soon to be four). Madeline loves it and we are sure to have some fun ripping open loot. Merry almost Christmas.

Carl Hoch

This sums up one reason why some reject the Christian faith and distrust Christianity as a whole. Church kids would be a good example.

What is legalism to one is not legalism to another. People have their own set of extra-biblical rules that seem appropriate to them. But then each person's set becomes the standard for other Christians. The person who has power and influence will soon gain a large following whose adherents will believe that their "set" is the true set. Those individuals in the group who do not necessarily accept that set as legitimate may still comply out of fear of punishment, ostracism, and "shunning." All of these supererogations become identified with Christianity and build up an unnecessary wall between the church and the world. We should not be surprised when people reject Christianity for the wrong reason, thinking that they must give up movies or some other item on someone's list in order to become a true believer. What a terrible distortion of Scripture and true Christianity! In essence another gospel has been created that leads to confusion within and without the church.

I would say that these sets of Christian "sub-rules" block many church goers from truly knowing Christ. We must ignore so called Christian values to pursue the true presence of Christ. Don't associate God with puny legalistic and controlling people. He, of course, is much bigger than them. A lot more appealing too.

Bullet through a pear. 

Bullet through an orange. 

Ballistics pictures. Wow. 

Here's a tip for you

If you get an email asking you to verify your bank account information don't do it. Even if it looks exactly like your banks web site. They can take a lot of money from you... a lot. However, the bank can give it back because they have insurance for such things. This is all hypothetical of course ;-) .

Cultural Shift

"In 1960 243,000 children lived with an unmarried parent. In 1993 the figure climbed to 6.3 million, provoking a demographic expert to describe the trend as "astonishing." Nearly two-thirds of all black children live with a single parents. From 1970 to 1993 the number of unmarried adults nearly doubled and the number of divorcees tripled."
-Peter Jones

What is motivating our worlds repulsion of the Christian message? Do people reject Christ because of the "Chrisitans are hypocrites" argument? Until Christian people live the compelling kind of life full of the Spirit of God we are not going to make headway. That goes for me too.

I fourd Peter Jones' web site came across as a bit alarmist at first glance but the content began to win me over. Here it is: CWiPP.

The value of a life

World's smallest surviving baby...

We are homeless

Yes, it's true. We are officially homeless. Well, the title signing is on Thursday and if that goes through our house in Alaska is sold. It will be a little easier to manage the finances without it. So ends the saga.

Peace

I think I'm at peace now. I've finally been able to put some of those inner struggles relating to rest (those of you who know, well, you know). My opinion hasn't changed but my heart has so that's a good thing. So at least for today life is good and I think that's how it's going to be.

That was wierd...

Got back home from a tour of the OB ward at the hospital and there was something wierd on our front porch. An entertainment center with a 32" TV. That ranks up there with some of my stranger life experiences. But thanks to whoever in the church did that. It's a little bit bigger than our 12" TV. Subtitles were always a strain on your eyes but not anymore.

Pat answers

This article on pat answers from the Youth Specialties site was a good read for me. I think we in the church try to stitch things up a little too tightly sometimes. We don't let people take a step back and heal sometimes. Just because I have Christ in my life doesn't mean I'm not going to suffer sometimes, even at the hands of other Christians. We need to give people space, enough to lick our wounds and heal up. I'm thankful for the few people who have loved me enough to give me space to heal and to not expect me to be OK when my world is upside down.

Family

Another busy weekend for us just passed. Beth's family visited Friday through Sunday. Katie and her new husband Adonis came up for a short visit. It was good to meet him and catch up on what they are doing. They are in language school in Monterey, (sp?) California and will head to Texas for their next phase of training in the Army.

We will welcome the Smith side of the family into our home next week.

Taken from Dave Barry's site...

This year, rather than give an electronic or new technological gadget for Christmas, try giving a gift that will challenge the imagination of the recipient.

For instance, this year I will be giving each member of my family a lump of wood. That way they can imagine what I would have given them if I wasn't so cheap.

Cool...

From athiest to diest.

Overlooking downtown Ketchikan from Deer Mountain (elevation 3,000 ft). The picture is taken from the view point below the summit. 

Hooked a few steelhead at the point you can see on the left. It is known as grassy point. It was a ten minute drive from our place. 

Old sawmill from in Ketchikan. It is no longer standing but brings back some memories. 

My desk resembles my life. Its in shambles. No idea whether its coming or going. :-) 

He's enjoying life. 

For golfers only

The Sand Trap Forum.

Humility

I think being brought to zero with strep throat was a really good thing for me. Its like you are removed from life as you know it so that you are given a fresh chance to start anew. I feel like I'm thinking about the things that matter most to me. I felt humbled to be sick for a week and a half. A good humility that pulls you right down to where you really stand at the end of the day. The place where you can't stand in judgement against even your worst enemy because you know that God is in charge and that you are small. Maybe thats how Job felt when he repented in dust and ashes and placed his hand over his mouth. Its so freeing because you don't have to do anything but accept who you are in view of the immensity of God... which is pretty much nothing. Being small is a good thing.

Sick

I just spent over a week in bed with the flu and then strep throat. I am glad that is over with. It was great to be with our friends at church again. If anything, being sick makes you appreciate spending time with people.

Chippy